1. Subject. What solution do you want to offer to your problem? Will it solve all of the problem, or certain parts? How will your solution be implemented?
2. Exigence. What exigence are you responding to?a. In other words, why do you want to write about this particular subject or issue right now? What makes the subject or issue worth considering or caring about? What events or considerations may have prompted you to choose this topic? For whom is this topic particularly important?b. How does this exigence demonstrate a problem that can be resolved through discourse? What ongoing discussion are you entering? What can you contribute to that conversation?
3. Audience. Whom do you see yourself addressing with this topic? Why?a. Is this audience capable of being influenced by discourse and capable of bringing about change (or influencing those who can do so)? How?b. What knowledge, opinions, beliefs, misunderstandings does your audience have about the topic? Why might this audience be hesitant to listen to you?c. How will you approach your audience? How will you address their concerns? What values and beliefs do you share with your audience? How can you establish common ground with them?
4. Purpose. What is your purpose? Do you want to entertain, teach, invite someone to reconsider, or argue a position? What do you want your audience to do as a result of your writing? Try to state your purpose in one sentence. Now try to state a tentative thesis statement.
5. Fitting Response. What medium and/or genre will best deliver your message? Will you be writing an academic essay, a letter, an editorial, a review, etc.? How will this particular medium reach your audience? How does this medium constitute a fitting response to your exigence and for your audience?
6. Available Means. What are the constraints (negative obstacles) and resources (positive influences) of your particular rhetorical situation?a. What rhetorical strategies will help you achieve your purpose? How can you establish common ground with your readers? How can you identify your cause with the interests of your readers?b. What kinds of rhetorical appeals—logos (factual evidence or logical arguments), pathos (emotional appeals), ethos (demonstrations of personal good will, good sense, and good moral character)—will you need to convince your readers?
7. Tentative Thesis. Briefly provide the major claim or assertion of your paper. What point are you trying to make?
1. Subject. What solution do you want to offer to your problem? Will it solve all of the problem, or certain parts? How will your solution be implemented?
2. Exigence. What exigence are you responding to?a. In other words, why do you want to write about this particular subject or issue right now? What makes the subject or issue worth considering or caring about? What events or considerations may have prompted you to choose this topic? For whom is this topic particularly important?b. How does this exigence demonstrate a problem that can be resolved through discourse? What ongoing discussion are you entering? What can you contribute to that conversation?
3. Audience. Whom do you see yourself addressing with this topic? Why?a. Is this audience capable of being influenced by discourse and capable of bringing about change (or influencing those who can do so)? How?b. What knowledge, opinions, beliefs, misunderstandings does your audience have about the topic? Why might this audience be hesitant to listen to you?c. How will you approach your audience? How will you address their concerns? What values and beliefs do you share with your audience? How can you establish common ground with them?
4. Purpose. What is your purpose? Do you want to entertain, teach, invite someone to reconsider, or argue a position? What do you want your audience to do as a result of your writing? Try to state your purpose in one sentence. Now try to state a tentative thesis statement.
5. Fitting Response. What medium and/or genre will best deliver your message? Will you be writing an academic essay, a letter, an editorial, a review, etc.? How will this particular medium reach your audience? How does this medium constitute a fitting response to your exigence and for your audience?
6. Available Means. What are the constraints (negative obstacles) and resources (positive influences) of your particular rhetorical situation?a. What rhetorical strategies will help you achieve your purpose? How can you establish common ground with your readers? How can you identify your cause with the interests of your readers?b. What kinds of rhetorical appeals—logos (factual evidence or logical arguments), pathos (emotional appeals), ethos (demonstrations of personal good will, good sense, and good moral character)—will you need to convince your readers?
7. Tentative Thesis. Briefly provide the major claim or assertion of your paper. What point are you trying to make?
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